Overview

This talk explores the complex psychosocial and psychological challenges faced by older adults navigating a cancer diagnosis. It addresses the high prevalence of depression, anxiety, and cognitive complications in geriatric oncology, highlighting how age-related factors, social isolation, and medical comorbidities complicate mental health recognition, treatment adherence, and overall quality of life. A range of intervention strategies will be discussed.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this event, participants should be able to:

• Identify main psychological issues in older adults with cancer: Recognize that up to 50% of older adults with cancer experience clinically significant psychological distress, with depression and anxiety being the most prevalent conditions.
• Distinguish between psychological symptoms from age related issues: Understand the diagnostic challenges of differentiating cancer-related somatic symptoms from late-life depression and anxiety.
• Assess risk factors: Examine how social isolation, lack of support networks, pre-existing cognitive impairments (e.g. dementia), and physical frailty exacerbate psychological vulnerability.
• Develop tailored interventions: Discuss evidence based psychosocial interventions, and the role of pharmacological agents in the management of anxiety and depressive disorders in older adults with cancer.

Presenter(s)

Ms. Jane Fletcher

About the presenter(s)

Jane is a health psychologist with over 30 years’ experience. Having established Melbourne Psycho-oncology Service in 2008, Jane continues to offer evidence-based intervention to individuals, couples and families at all stages of the cancer experience from diagnosis to bereavement. She has extensive experience using cognitive behavioural therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, a range of existential approaches and mindfulness-based interventions. She is qualified in medical hypnosis and uses this for the treatment of cancer related sleep disorder, phobic and conditioned responses. She has a special interest in sexuality and is experienced in a range of specific interventions for the psycho-sexual issues associated with a cancer diagnosis. Special interests include breast, gynaecological, prostate, bowel, lung and haematological cancers. Jane is passionate about offering care to those diagnosed with less common cancers. She also works with those who have tested gene positive for cancer who may require prophylactic surgical intervention. Jane speaks widely, both locally and internationally, to peers and those living with a cancer diagnosis and hold an adjunct appointment with Monash University.

Notes

Target Audience

This event is aimed at psychologists and other mental health clinicians working with older adults.

Please note:

• This is a Member Groups event. All communication will be sent to the registrants’ registered email address. This includes event reminders with details (such as the Zoom link) and any pre-event or post-event resources, if provided by the facilitators.
• A post-event email will be sent within two weeks of the event’s completion to each registrant’s registered email address. This email will include the CPD certificate, event-recording, and any additional resources shared during the session.

Duration of Access

This event will be recorded. The recording will be emailed to all registered within 2 weeks post event and available for viewing up to 90 days.

CPD

It is up to attendees to assess and determine how learning from this event aligns with the requirements of their learning plan. The providers accordingly do not make any representation that the event counts towards attendees’ CPD learning requirements. If an attendee determines themselves that the learning they complete aligns to their learning plan, then they can decide to count those hours towards their CPD requirements for the registration cycle.

The information in this presentation has been prepared in good faith and for educational purposes only. Therefore, the information is general in nature and should not be relied upon in the treatment of any condition and you should seek your own independent professional and/or legal advice concerning any specific issue. The APS accepts no responsibility for any errors, omissions or decisions relating to the information. The content should not be reproduced without permission or unless permitted by law.

If you are experiencing registration difficulties please contact APS Events Support.